We are confident of a landslide victory - Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Fulfilling every responsibility entrusted on him by country's leadership, Basil Rajapaksa the leads the victorious march of the UPFA in the Gampaha District. Confident of a landslide victory for the UPFA in this General Election, Rajapaksa in an interview with the Sunday Observer said 'I don't accept challenges that I cannot fulfill.' He says "I know I have a larger responsibility. After April 8 I will have more responsibilities towards Gampaha people. I will not neglect them at all and I will fulfil their needs while carrying out my obligation towards the country."

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: How is the election campaign faring?

A: Very good. The President and the United People's Freedom Alliance is much popular now and is very strongly supported by the people. After the Provincial and Presidential elections we see the Opposition, United National Party has become very weak. Therefore I confidently predict a grand victory for the UPFA in the General Election.

Q: What made you to choose Gampaha District as your power base? What importance did you see in this particular area?

A: Actually it is a decision by the President made on the requests made by the clergy of the and the Members of Parliament in the Gampaha District, Organizers and Provincial Councillors of the UPFA. This request was there for about one year but because of the Presidential Elections I had to stay for a while as I had to handle a variety of issues.

I was responsible for the Eastern Province, Northern Province Development and the Presidential Election campaign. So it was only after the Presidential Elections that the President asked me to look after Gampaha. When I started my work in Gampaha I was very pleased about President's decision as I found a greater capacity to work. People think in a very positive manner and are very energetic.

They are a group of people with a lot of aspirations. Gampaha district itself is rich with material as well as human resources. I don't think there is any other district that has such a combination. There are a lot of entrepreneurs in the district. Though Gampaha is close to Colombo and with many urbanised cities, the district still preserves the rural touch.

Q: What is your pledge to the people of Gampaha?

A: It will be the same as President Mahinda Rajapaksa's pledge to Sri Lankans to make Sri Lanka the Glory of Asia. Gampaha district will focus on creating five hubs - i.e. aviation hub, a Knowledge hub, an Information Technology hub, a Naval hub and a Commercial hub.

Q: In the election campaign you stressed on improving the education of the District in the attempt to create a Knowledge hub in Gampaha? How are you going to achieve this?

A: That is our vision. Yet it has to be planned very carefully and systematically. We want to let the children enjoy the home environment getting education in close proximity and then reach advance stages. First we'll have to improve the levels of the school in rural areas, encourage village children to attend schools, improve the physical and human resources of the schools etc at the initial level. Then in the next step we can cater to the much advanced national level schools. So it will be more of a step by step process rather than a quick haphazardly done project.

Q: During the past few years you were given an exclusive responsibility to rebuild the Northern Province. How do you see this? Do you think you have completed your role in it?

A: I think I have achieved what President Mahinda Rajapaksa entrusted on me. I was responsible for the 'Uthuru Wasanthaya' 180 days program and the two year program. In the 180 days program we have achieved about 92% of our target and the two year program is going on. I think there is a lot to be done. I will really be happy if the President allow me to take the responsibility again to continue work in the North.

Q: There is no doubt if we say that, you are one of the most recognized and respected politicians in the country. Considering your capacity to work you cannot be confined to one District. How do you plan to serve the entire country?

A: So far I succeeded by managing my time well. One of the main reasons of my successes in my life is that I don't take responsibilities that I can't do. I'm looking forward to what the President's decision would be on the responsibilities he plans to give me. Definitely I love to serve the entire country as much as I can. And also I'm proud to say I'm one of the members of the President's team to re-build the country. I know I have a larger responsibility. After April 8 I will have more responsibilities towards Gampaha people.

Q: Are you satisfied with the progress of the development work currently carried out islandwide and in Gampaha District?

A: Yes definitely, I'm very satisfied. And within the last four years even the concept of Development has changed. The time frames taken to finish certain development works in the early days were quite long even for years and this we have shortened for days and weeks. Even to build a culvert, a bridge or a road, those days it took years. Today we are self sufficient in electricity. Sustainability is the key point in today's development. There will be no need of another harbour for a very long time after the construction of the Hambantota harbour. There is no need for another airport in the future after completion of the Mattala International Airport. In my point of view all the construction works for major irrigation systems have been started. And most of the A class roads are re-constructed, the newly constructed two highways will soon be commissioned. The most effective development work took place in the village level through the 'Gama Neguma', 'Maga Neguma', 'Jathika Saviya' projects the benefits reached the village. These days I had the chance to extensively travel in villages and in every village, and I get the chance to talk to the villagers and I find they are highly satisfied with the progress of their villages. So we see a remarkable improvement which the people feel. From the mega projects to the construction of a small culvert in a village, we have given similar attention and care.

Q: You lead the entire development drive of the country as the Senior Presidential Advisor. What are the drawbacks you see? And what would be the solutions?

A: Most of the Media and the opinion makers look at everything in a very negative perspective. I have seen in many of the developed countries everyone at every level think very positively. Even if the weather is rainy or sunny for two days we fuss so much about it. But in those countries the people take even the weather patterns in a very positive manner. In our country if we see the media coverage we feel they want to broadcast more on the negative side of issues. I guess they feel good news is no news. We must highlight the good things to give an aspiration to the people. Media must highlight the achievements of people.

Q: Do you believe UPFA will receive two thirds or a landslide victory in this general election?

A: A landslide victory yes definitely we can. Talking about the two thirds, I'm sure about the 143 - 146 seats which the UPFA will win. The balance is achievable.

Q: What is your analysis of the Opposition which is now in disarray?

A: I'm sad about the opposition. I think they might have to start from the very beginning. Freshly start all over again. That would be the best. They should not immediately try to achieve higher goals and grab power. Unfortunately the Opposition wants to grab power before the next 'poya' or the next Sinhala new year. To achieve this they will take a foolish method either by bringing a person totally alien to politics or join with some unknown and unrealistic forces etc. This is not successful. Best is to grow slowly and build the force. That is how President Rajapaksa have come to this state. He didn't emerge from no where.

Q: Do you think the opposition has a viable solution to offer?

A: A viable solution is not the issue. First a political party must build its base strongly. A strong base for the party organization and a good leadership only will bring a good solution. A viable solution must have a strong base. In the case of 'Mahinda Chinthanaya' with time it suited the thinking pattern of the Sri Lankans. It is absorbed into the hearts and minds of the people. And now it is a matter of implementing. The UNP and the JVP manifesto is a copy giving a new version to the 'Mahinda Chinthana' in a different way.

Now in the recent history we had two major elections - one is the Provincial Council election and then the Presidential election. This is the third. These are of two different systems and the voters decide on various issues different to the people's thinking line during Presidential election. The General Election is to select members for the legislature. And the Presidential election is to choose a leader for the Executive powers. Then Provincial Council elections are for both the regional development and legislative powers at local levels. The systems are different.

Q: How do you manage to maintain a violence free election campaign as the leader of the Gampaha District?

A: We try our best to keep a violence free election as it is the President's wish as well. We have been very successful. We may hear and see few incidents here and there but considering the incidents that took place in the past, especially in 1980's and in 1950's this is insignificant. Yet with media and many communications methods the news spread like wildfire. Compared to other elections its prevalence has decreased a lot. We insist to our party members that the best way to enter the Parliament is not by getting more preferences (manape) but better to get more votes and win more seats as a team. So as a team our effort is to win more seats.

Q: As an influential leader to what are your plans to take Sri Lanka forward?

A: My vision would be the same as the President's. He clearly mentioned his intension is to make Sri Lanka the glory of Asia. We are following his path. Already President have brought the country to a highly recognized and respected state. Especially in defeating terrorism, courageously facing any international pressure, building peace and harmony among everybody even with enemies!

Q: Do you believe the result of this general election would give a different perspective of the country to the world?

A: This will give different message to the world. With this result people will tell the world to keep out of internal matters related to Sri Lanka. And will show that the people are behind the President and say not to harass him. By voting the UPFA people will tell the so called international community that they will be behind the President how much the international community try to break his leadership.

Q: What is you message to voters islandwide? What do you expect from them on April 8?

A: In 2005 when the people voted for the President they wanted him to end the war that prolonged for 30 years. In 2009 Presidential Elections they voted for their gratitude. In the General Election the people will think about the future. To elevate Sri Lanka from the under developed state to a developed state. So far he has fulfilled their aspirations and even in the future he will definitely succeed.

Q: What will be your role?

A: First I will have to look after Gampaha. Make it the most preferred district in the country. And of my other responsibilities the President has to decide and I will accept.